Past Studies

ARCHIE

The early use of Antibiotics for 'at Risk' CHildren with InfluEnza

The ARCHIE study aimed to determine whether early treatment with an antibiotic (co-amoxiclav) would help 'at risk' children with influenza/influenza-like illness feel better more quickly and prevent complications. 'At risk' children included those with medical conditions that make them more likely to need treatment in hospital if they get flu, such as diabetes, lung, liver, kidney or genetic conditions and cancer, among others. The clinical trial indicated there was no evidence of difference between children given co-amoxiclav and those given a placebo. The findings therefore do not support early co-amoxiclav use in children with influenza or influenza-like illness.

ARCHIE is no longer recruiting.

ARRISA UK

At Risk Registers Integrated into primary care to Stop Asthma crises in the UK

ARRISA-UK was a randomised controlled trial of GP practice staff training and high risk patient identification and flagging to reduce the occurrence of severe asthma related events. In this study design it is the GP practice that is randomised. The study intervention is to provide online training for GPs, nurses and reception staff in managing care for asthma patients identified as being at the highest risk of having a severe event (hospitalisation or death); often this involves prioritising all patient interactions with practice staff to maximise the utility of care opportunities to assess and improve the patient's asthma status.

ARRISA is no longer recruiting, though as a surgery we found this incredibly helpful to daily care. We have implimented risk stratification to reduce hospital admissions.

ARTIC PC

Antibiotics for lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Children presenting in Primary Care

The ARTIC study was developed to investigate the effectiveness of antibiotics in children presenting with uncomplicated (non-pneumonic) lower respiratory tract infection in primary care. Acute respiratory infections are among the commonest conditions managed in primary care, and data among children confirms that at least 60% of children presenting with symptoms are prescribed antibiotics. Although trials among adults suggest that antibiotics have a modest benefit, no randomised placebo-controlled trials have been conducted to support or dispute the common use of antibiotics in children with chest infections. After the data had been analysed, this study found that amoxicillin for uncomplicated chest infections in children is unlikely to be clinically effective either overall or for key subgroups in whom antibiotics are commonly prescribed. They concluded that unless pneumonia is suspected, clinicians should provide safety-netting advice but not prescribe antibiotics for most children presenting with chest infections.

Closed as of March 2020. Newton Place successfully recruited 3 children to take part.

CLASP

Cancer: Life Affirming Survivorship support in Primary care

The CLASP study aimed to evaluate an online intervention offering lifestyle and wellbeing support for cancer survivors, called Renewed. The intervention was developed using feedback from patients and healthcare professionals and provides modules for lifestyle (healthy eating, weight management, physical activity) and well-being (coping with emotional distress, reducing fatigue). The primary objective was to investigate whether the web-based Renewed programme resulted in a difference in quality of life at 6-month follow-up compared to treatment as usual. We are still awaiting the findings of this study.

Closed as of August 2021.

Convalescent Serology

This study, led by Public Health England and the University of Oxford, is looking at blood samples from patients who have recovered from COVID-19. Blood samples taken from patients who have had and are recovering from a confirmed COVID-19 infection help researchers to understand the antibody response following infection. This in turn will help to develop new tests for detecting the coronavirus infection. Blood samples are taken at the following dates post infection: 3-6 weeks, 12 weeks, 20 weeks, 9 months and 12 months.

Closed in 2022.

IsoFit-BP

Isometric exercise for people with raised Blood Pressure

Support a local piece of research developed through the University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University and East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust, IsoFIT-BP!

Within the UK approximately 8 million people are affected by high blood pressure (BP). Standard treatment normally includes changes in lifestyle and/or medication, however, more than half of patients fail to control their BP due to unpleasant side effects associated with medication, and the difficulty of complying with exercise recommendations (at least 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity activity) and dietary changes. The aim of IsoFIT-BP is to find out whether a particular form of static exercise - isometric exercise - is efficient in reducing BP in those with mild hypertension and subsequently whether nurses and allied health professionals can deliver these exercises in a primary care NHS setting.

Closed in 2023.

Low Mood and Anxiety Clinic

Newton Place Surgery previously worked in partnership with P1vital Products Ltd, Canterbury Coastal CCG, the University of Kent and Mind on a research project funded by Innovate UK to provide a walk in clinic to patients registered with a Faversham GP practice for depression and anxiety. The project involved implementing a new service incorporating digital technology (i-spero®) within a multi-disciplinary team of healthcare professionals with specialist training.

Closed as of March 2022.

RECAP

Remote COVID-19 Assessment in Primary Care

The RECAP project was a collaborative effort between the University of Oxford and Imperial College London, that aimed to develop a tool to assist primary care providers in the identification of COVID-19 patients who may be at risk of becoming severe. It also aimed to facilitate the early escalation of treatment in order to improve patient outcomes. The study found that both RECAP models were valid tools to assess COVID-19 patients in the community.

Newton Place successfully recruited 13 patients to take part in the trial.

REDUCE

ReviEwing long term anti-Depressant Use by Careful monitoring in Everyday practice

Newton Place Surgery are working alongside the University of Southampton to identify feasible, safe, reliable and cost-effective ways of helping patients withdraw from long-term antidepressant use, where appropriate. The researchers are looking to explore the difficulties people experience when withdrawing and identify factors that patients and practitioners think might help people to withdraw.

REDUCE is no longer recruiting.

Relieve IBS-D

Double-blinded randomised placebo controlled trial of Enterosgel (polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate) for the treatment of IBS with diarrhoea (IBS-D)

This study looked at the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with diarrhoea (IBS-D). The primary objective was to test the effectiveness of a treatment called Enterosgel compared with a placebo in terms of patient reported outcomes for stool consistency and abdominal pain. Enterosgel was shown to improve stool consistency, abdominal pain, stool frequency and urgency and is now considered safe and effective in IBS-D, providing an alternative to the limited current treatment option.

Closed as of April 2021. Newton Place successfully recruited 8 patients to take part in the trial.

Retrospective Survey of Prevention, Treatment, Occurrence and Outcomes of Covid-19 in the community

Newton Place Surgery asked patients to complete a survey run by the University of Southampton to help researchers understand how to beat Coronavirus. This online survey aims to inform the management of the Covid-19 pandemic by describing use of preventive behaviours, transmission to household contacts, occurrence of infections, the clinical features, use of treatments, and outcomes of people who have experienced suspected COVID-19 illness or any respiratory tract infection during the global pandemic, whether confirmed COVID-19 or not, and the preventive behaviours and treatments of those who have not experienced a suspected COVID-19 illness.

Closed as of April 2021.

Psychological Impact of Covid-19

To help increase our knowledge of how coronavirus and the changing restrictions have impacted mental health, patients were asked to complete a short, 15 minute questionnaire on how they are coping during the pandemic. The responses are being used to support our understanding of how mental health and wellbeing has been affected by the pandemic and also what may be helpful for people during this time. Newton Place was overwhelmed with the response rate for this research project and would like to thank all patients who took the time to participate.

Closed as of September 2021. Newton Place successfully recruited 1,377 patients to take part in the trial.

The PRINCIPLE Trial

PRINCIPLE is another clinical trial led by the University of Oxford exploring treatments for COVID-19. So far over 11,000 patients have taken part in this study from practices across England. The eligibility criteria are as below:

You are currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days or less
AND: You have had a positive test for COVID-19 in the last 14 days
AND: You are aged 18 or over